include jasmonate-dependent and ethylene-responsive components. The responses of defense marker genes KTI and MLP423 suggest a contribution of CERK1, but the effect might be indirect through a potential involvement of CERK1 in symbiosis establishment. Based on the analyses of the marker genes, chitin is unlikely to play a role in the systemic induction process. The results further point toward ectomycorrhizal-mediated trade-off between herbivorous leaf insects and necrotrophic pathogens and thus may direct future research. the evolution of land plants . Approximately 340,000 land plant species (≈ 85 % of all land plant species) can be colonized by mycorrhizal fungi (≈ 50,000 species;